The Salvation Army added the extra registration because of the recent cold snap and snow.

"We understand that the snow and cold has made it difficult to get around, so we wanted to make sure that eligible families had one more chance to sign up to receive gifts for their children and food for a holiday meal," said John Luby, area coordinator for The Syracuse Area Salvation Army.

Families that sign up can get gifts for kids and food for a holiday meal at the Oncenter Dec. 23. The distribution goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day, but organizers said it's best to come in the afternoon, when the lines are shorter.

As of Friday, 2,450 families had registered.

For more information on eligibility requirements, families should call the HELPLINE at 435-8300.

Several organizations, including Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard's Old Newsboys, raise money for the distribution. Every year, about 1,000 volunteers help give out the food and toys.

Over the past five years, 15,000 families and 37,000 children have received food and toys on Distribution Day.